Knowledge Management Unit and Library

The Knowledge Management Unit (“KMU”), encompassing the Chan Sek Keong Library (“the Library”), is responsible for AGC’s organisation-wide knowledge management (“KM”) systems and processes. With the aim of delivering the “Right Knowledge @ the Right Time”, KMU focuses on creating and curating cross-Divisional knowledge assets and online resources, while the Library’s goal is to provide effective resource support for AGC’s core areas of practice.

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORK DONE IN 2015

(1) Soft-launch of the Cross-Divisional KM Libraries

The Cross-Divisional KM Libraries were soft-launched on 21 August 2015. This was the first curated repository of precedential work product (classified “Confidential” and below) collated from all AGC Divisions, providing officers with immediate access to updated institutional knowledge and history.

(2) Launch of AGC KM Newsletter

The AGC KM Newsletter was launched on 9 April 2015. Issued on a bi-weekly basis, this “one-stop” Newsletter consolidates all new KM content and updates including Case Updates and Spotlights (local and international), and other KM and Library related updates. The AGC KM Newsletter is also disseminated via email to all Legal Branch HODs and published on the AGC@Government Intranet site for viewing by all public officers.

(3) Launch of Monthly Digest of International Landmark Decisions

KMU launched the Monthly Digest of International Landmark Decisions in March 2015. It contains digests of the latest landmark judgments from international jurisdictions such as the UK, Australia and Canada.

(4) Compilation of Crime Cluster KM resources

KMU facilitated the compilation of the following Crime Cluster KM resources on the Crime Cluster Shared Resources site: 42 Charge Templates, 23 Gold Standard Submissions and 16 Quick Packs. These resources aim to introduce a greater level of consistency in drafting criminal charges and submissions, and to provide prosecutors with brief overviews of legal issues and procedures for reference in court. KMU also assisted the Criminal Justice Division in creating the new Sentencing Module on Portia. The Module was launched on 30 July 2015.

(above) Discussing contents on Portia with the Chief Knowledge Officer

(5) Creation of Matter Pathways

The first Matter Pathway on Judicial Review proceedings was made available to Civil Division officers in December 2015. Co-created by the Civil Division and KMU, this is a step-by-step guide to judicial review proceedings with hyperlinks to all other relevant content, including guidelines and precedents. Its objective is to increase efficiency and consistency by bringing all relevant resources into a single, regularly updated document.

(6) Publication and Updating of Standing KM Publications

In January 2015, KMU published a new compilation on Statutory Interpretation, containing excerpts from judgments of the Singapore High Court and the Court of Appeal on principles of statutory interpretation. This compilation and other standing KM publications (Words and Phrases Judicially Defined; Sentencing Benchmarks – Sentencing Principles section) were also updated by KMU regularly in 2015.

(7) Launch of AGC KM Outstanding Contributors Award

The inaugural AGC KM Outstanding Contributors Award was launched in December 2015 as a way of commending AGC officers who work with KMU to facilitate KM efforts. This award recognises contributions towards KM in any form, from active participation in central KMU projects to driving Divisional KM efforts. The award was given to six LSOs from the various Legal Divisions.

(above) The KMU and Library team

(8) Subscription to new Library Electronic Content

In line with the “Library in the Sky” concept, more electronic content was introduced by the Library, such as the complete collection of Law Trove from Oxford University Press, the Sentencing Information and Research Repository database and Academy Publishing titles on the new LawNet platform, and e-Journals from various platforms. To assist officers doing in-depth research into legislative provisions, the Library scanned and uploaded onto Portia valuable historical materials such as the Straits Settlements Legislative records (from 1859 to 1940), the Report of the Rendel Constitutional Commission Singapore (1954) and the Report of the Wee Chong Jin Constitutional Commission (1966). Electronic copies of three relevant titles were also uploaded with permission onto Portia to facilitate officers’ research.

(above) Brainstorming ideas for working smarter